US5287149A - Image forming apparatus having image transfer electrode contactable to transfer material - Google Patents

Image forming apparatus having image transfer electrode contactable to transfer material Download PDF

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US5287149A
US5287149A US07/949,214 US94921492A US5287149A US 5287149 A US5287149 A US 5287149A US 94921492 A US94921492 A US 94921492A US 5287149 A US5287149 A US 5287149A
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Prior art keywords
image
formation
during
original
photosensitive member
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US07/949,214
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English (en)
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Norihisa Hoshika
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Canon Inc
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Canon Inc
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/14—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base
    • G03G15/16—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base of a toner pattern, e.g. a powder pattern, e.g. magnetic transfer
    • G03G15/1665—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base of a toner pattern, e.g. a powder pattern, e.g. magnetic transfer by introducing the second base in the nip formed by the recording member and at least one transfer member, e.g. in combination with bias or heat
    • G03G15/167—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base of a toner pattern, e.g. a powder pattern, e.g. magnetic transfer by introducing the second base in the nip formed by the recording member and at least one transfer member, e.g. in combination with bias or heat at least one of the recording member or the transfer member being rotatable during the transfer
    • G03G15/1675—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base of a toner pattern, e.g. a powder pattern, e.g. magnetic transfer by introducing the second base in the nip formed by the recording member and at least one transfer member, e.g. in combination with bias or heat at least one of the recording member or the transfer member being rotatable during the transfer with means for controlling the bias applied in the transfer nip
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/02—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for laying down a uniform charge, e.g. for sensitising; Corona discharge devices
    • G03G15/0266—Arrangements for controlling the amount of charge
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
    • G03G15/065—Arrangements for controlling the potential of the developing electrode
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
    • G03G21/06—Eliminating residual charges from a reusable imaging member
    • G03G21/08—Eliminating residual charges from a reusable imaging member using optical radiation
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
    • G03G2215/16—Transferring device, details
    • G03G2215/1647—Cleaning of transfer member
    • G03G2215/1652—Cleaning of transfer member of transfer roll

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus of an electrophotographic type or the like.
  • An electrophotographic copying machine is known as one of image forming apparatus.
  • a surface of a photosensitive drum (image bearing member) is electrically charged by a primary charging device to a predetermined potential, and the charged surface is exposed to image light so that an electrostatic latent image is formed thereon.
  • the electrostatic latent image is developed with toner particles so that a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum.
  • a transfer charger transfer means to transfer the toner image from the photosensitive drum onto a transfer material supplied thereto.
  • a blank exposure is effective to expose the photosensitive member to uniform light to erase the electrostatic latent image to prevent toner from being deposited on the photosensitive drum.
  • the transfer device for transferring the toner to the transfer material is provided with a transfer member to which an image transfer bias is supplied, so that the toner on the photosensitive drum is attracted to the transfer material, from the back side of the transfer material supplied between the transfer member and the photosensitive drum.
  • the transfer charging devices are classified as non-contact type (corona charger) and as contact type, depending on whether the transfer member is pressed to the photosensitive drum with the transfer material therebetween. Recently, the latter contact type charging device is widely used from the standpoint of the reduction of ozone production and the reduction of the applied voltage.
  • the transfer member is in contact with the photosensitive drum except when the transfer material is present at the transfer station. For this reason, the surface of the transfer member tends to be contaminated with the matters on the photosensitive drum. The contamination is deposited then onto the next supplied transfer material. In order to prevent this back side contamination, the following measurements are taken in the case of so-called regular development system.
  • the surface potential of the photosensitive drum is maintained at 0 V to prevent the deposition of the toner to the transfer member.
  • the photosensitive drum is exposed to light from a light source for this purpose (blank exposure light source) or a reflection mirror (blank shutter), by which the surface of the photosensitive drum is electrically discharged.
  • the charging bias of the primary charger is set to 0 V, so as to prevent the charging of the surface of the photosensitive drum.
  • the toner image outside the transfer material may be deposited on the transfer member even if the transfer material is supplied in good order. In order to prevent this, the width of the transfer material is detected, and thereafter, side blank exposure is accomplished in accordance with the detected size.
  • the toner is mechanically removed from the surface of the transfer member by a transfer member cleaner.
  • the transfer member is supplied with a bias voltage of a polarity opposite to that required for transferring the toner onto the transfer material so as to move the toner from the transfer member to the photosensitive drum.
  • the surface of the photosensitive drum may be charged to the opposite polarity, as well as the transfer of the toner from the transfer member to the photosensitive drum.
  • the photosensitive drum is maintained charged to the opposite polarity until the primary charging device recharges the surface thereof to the proper polarity for the purpose of next image forming operation. If the surface of the photosensitive drum is charged to the opposite polarity, the photosensitive drum, particularly the OPC drum, is easily deteriorated. In addition, the deterioration increases with an increase of the time in which the surface is charged in the opposite polarity. Therefore, when the transfer member is cleaned in the prior art method, the sensitivity durability of the photosensitive drum, particularly an OPC drum, is easily deteriorated.
  • an image forming apparatus comprising: an image bearing member for bearing a toner image, movable along an endless path; an original supporting platen for supporting an original; an illumination source for illuminating an original on said supporting platen; image forming means including charging means, an exposure optical system, including a reciprocable part, for directing a light image of the original on said supporting platen, developing means and transfer means, wherein the reciprocable part moves in a first direction, during an image formation, in which the light image is directed to said image bearing member for image formation thereon and in a second direction, during non-image-formation, for returning the part; wherein said illumination source emits light both during the image formation and during the non-image-formation to direct the light image to said image bearing member, and wherein a developing bias voltage in said developing means is switched depending on whether said apparatus is in the image formation or in the non-image-formation so that an image formed on said image bearing member is not developed by the developing means during the non-image-formation.
  • FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a copying apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates power sources or the like connected to a primary charger in the copying apparatus.
  • FIG. 3 is a timing chart of application timing of a bias voltage applied to the primary charger or the like.
  • FIG. 4 is a graph of a difference of a surface potential of a photosensitive drum during image formation and non-image-formation (transfer roller cleaning period).
  • FIG. 5 shows a relationship between a development contrast and a reflection density.
  • FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the general structure of an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates a power source or the like connected to a primary charger or the like in the copying machine.
  • FIG. 8 is a timing chart of application timing of a various voltage applied to the primary charger or the like.
  • FIG. 9 is a graph of a relationship between the surface potential of the photosensitive drum and the voltage applied to the charging roller.
  • FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of a general structure of a copying machine according to a further embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 11 illustrates power sources or the like connected to the primary charger or the like in the copying machine.
  • FIG. 12 is a timing chart of application timing of a bias voltage applied to the primary charger or the like.
  • FIG. 13 is a graph of a relationship between the surface potential of the photosensitive drum and a voltage applied to the charging roller.
  • FIG. 14 is a longitudinal sectional view of a copying apparatus according to a further embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 15 is a graph of a relationship between a reflection density of an original and a sensor output voltage or a photosensitive drum potential.
  • FIG. 16 is a graph of a relationship between a sensor output voltage and a DC component of a developing bias voltage.
  • FIG. 17 is a timing chart of a timing of application of a bias voltage to the primary charger or the like.
  • FIG. 18 is a longitudinal sectional view of a copying apparatus according to a yet further embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 19 is a timing chart showing application timing of a bias voltage applied to the primary charger or the like
  • FIG. 20 is a graph showing a relationship between a sensor output voltage and a primary DC bias.
  • the copying machine incorporates a process cartridge 20, which is detachably mountable to the main assembly of the copying apparatus by moving it unshown rails.
  • the process cartridge 20 is provided with a photosensitive drum (image bearing member) which is rotatably supported therein and which comprises an OPC photosensitive layer.
  • the photosensitive drum 1 is rotated by an unshown driving means in a direction A (clockwise direction).
  • a developing device (developing means) 3 containing toner to develop the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1 into a toner image
  • a cleaning device 9 for removing the residual toner from the photosensitive drum 1.
  • a transfer roller (transfer means) 4 is disposed so as to be rotated by the photosensitive drum 1 through the contact therebetween. It is effective to transfer the toner image from the photosensitive drum to the transfer material P.
  • an exposure device L Above the process cartridge 20, there is an exposure device L.
  • the light emitted from an original illumination lamp 13 is directed by a reflection mirror 16 to an original 15 supported on an original supporting platen glass 14, and is reflected by the original 15. The light is then transmitted through a short focus lens array 2 and is imaged on the photosensitive drum, so that an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1.
  • a cassette accommodating a number of transfer materials P, although not shown in the Figure.
  • the transfer material P taken out therefrom is supplied in synchronism with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 1 by timing rollers 6.
  • the transfer material P is passed along the transfer guide 7 so as to be passed through a nip between the transfer drum 1 and the transfer roller 4.
  • the transfer material P having received the toner image is fed to the downstream side (left side) by a conveying device 8 to a fixing device (not shown), where the toner image is fixed on the transfer material P.
  • the original illumination lamp 13 When a switch is actuated by an operator after the original 15 is placed on the platen glass 14, the original illumination lamp 13 is actuated. The emitted light is reflected by the reflection mirror 16 and by the original 15, and is imaged on the photosensitive drum 1 through a short focus lens array 2. The original supporting platen glass 14 supporting the original 15 is moved from left to right in direction B. Since the photosensitive drum 1 is rotating, an image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1. In this embodiment, the original illumination lamp 13 emits the light, also when the platen glass 14 returns from the right position to the original position.
  • the primary charger 10 has a corona wire 10a to which a predetermined voltage Vw is applied by connection thereof to a voltage source (image bearing member surface control means) Ew.
  • the corona wire 10a is enclosed with a shield case 10b.
  • the shield case 10b has a channel-like cross-section with which it is opened only toward the photosensitive drum 1.
  • a grid electrode 10c is disposed between the photosensitive drum 1 and the corona wire 10a.
  • predetermined voltages (grid bias) Vg1 and Vg2 are applied from a voltage source (image bearing member surface control means) Eg, in a proper manner.
  • the developing device 3 has a developing sleeve 51 for carrying toner particles.
  • a developing bias is selectively applied in a proper manner from a voltage source Ed (V AC +V DC1 , V AC +V DC2 ).
  • a voltage source Et is connected, so that opposite polarity transfer bias voltages Vtc and Vt, are selectively applied in proper manner.
  • FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing application timing and levels of voltages applied to the primary charger 10 or the like.
  • the grid electrode 1Oc is supplied with a grid bias voltage Vg1
  • the developing sleeve 51 is supplied with a developing bias voltage in the form of a DC biased AC voltage (V DC1 +V AC )
  • the transfer roller 4 is supplied with an image transfer bias voltage Vtc.
  • the original illumination lamp 13 is energized, so that a light image corresponding to the image of the original 15 is projected onto the photosensitive drum 1 by the exposure device L. Since, however, the voltage Vg1 applied to the grid electrode 10c is smaller (same polarity) than the grid bias voltage Vg2 to be applied during the copying operation, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 has a lower contrast.
  • the opposite polarity transfer bias voltage Vtc functions to transfer the toner having the same polarity as that of the voltage Vtc to the photosensitive drum 1, by which the surface of the transfer roller 4 is cleaned.
  • the grid bias voltage is increased from Vg1 to Vg2, and therefore, the electrostatic latent image having the proper contrast is formed.
  • the developing bias is switched from V DC1 to V DC2 , in which the voltage V DC2 is changeable with a dial in an operation panel of the copying apparatus, so that the resultant image density can be controlled as desired by the operator.
  • the transfer bias Vtc is switched to the voltage Vt having the polarity opposite to that of the toner, so that the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred onto the transfer material P.
  • D 1.1, 0.30, 0.07).
  • the relationships are shown for the image forming period and the non-image formation period.
  • the grid bias voltage during the non-image-formation period Vg1 is -280 V, and that during the image formation period Vg2 is -630 V.
  • the surface potential changes within a range between -600 and -150 V in accordance with the image density, so that a high contrast electrostatic latent image is formed.
  • the surface potential changes only between 0 and -250 V in accordance with the same image density, and therefore, the contrast is low.
  • the developing bias voltage V DC1 during the non-image-forming period exceeds -250 V (in the negative direction)
  • the toner is hot transferred onto the transfer drum since the toner is charged to the positive polarity, in the case of a regular development.
  • the contamination of the transfer roller 4 can be avoided.
  • FIG. 5 shows the relationship between a development contrast and a reflection image density of the toner image.
  • the developing action starts in the regular direction if the development contrast exceeds -30 V and increase in the positive direction. If the development contrast increase beyond -400 V in the negative direction, negatively charged toner particles (they are mixed in the toner particles in the developing device 3, although the amount is small), are transferred onto the transfer drum (reverse fog).
  • the development contrast is preferably -30 V - -400 V.
  • the development contrast is a potential difference between the surface potential of the photosensitive drum and the developing bias voltage.
  • the surface potential of the photosensitive drum is 0 - -250 V in this embodiment, as described in conjunction with FIG. 4, and therefore, the developing bias voltage V DC1 is selected to be -280 - -400 V.
  • FIG. 5 shows a V-D curve in the case of a jumping developing method using a non-magnetic and one component toner.
  • the contrast in the negative direction is preferably not more than -200 V which is smaller than -400 V.
  • the photosensitive drum charged to the opposite polarity is immediately re-charged to the proper side polarity by the primary charger 10, and therefore, the sensitivity deterioration due to the opposite polarity charging of the photosensitive drum, can be minimized.
  • FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9 a further embodiment of the present invention will be described.
  • the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 1-5 are assigned to the elements having the corresponding functions, and the detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.
  • the primary charger is a contact type charging roller 60.
  • FIGS. 6 and 7 show structures of the copying apparatus using the charging roller 60.
  • the charging bias voltage applied to the charging roller 60 is Vr1 during the non-image formation period, and it is Vr2 during the image forming period. It is switched in the two stages as in the case of the grid bias voltages Vg1 and Vg2. The voltages satisfy Vr1 ⁇ Vr2, and the application timing is as shown in FIG. 8.
  • a charging bias applied to the charging roller 60 is a DC voltage, it is usual that the voltage is a charge starting voltage plus a dark portion potential.
  • FIG. 9 shows that the charging bias voltage is -1150 V when the charge starting voltage and the dark portion potential are -550 V and -660 V, respectively.
  • the developing bias voltage is selected so that the development contrast is between -300 V and -400 V, toner deposition on the photosensitive drum can be prevented. Therefore, it will suffice if the developing bias is set to be -210 - -400 V.
  • the ozone production by the primary charger can be reduced, and therefore, the service life of the photosensitive drum is expanded.
  • the necessity for an air discharging fan and/or an ozone filter may be eliminated, and therefore, the structure of the apparatus is simplified, in addition to the advantageous effects of the foregoing embodiment.
  • the photosensitive drum charged to the opposite polarity is immediately re-charged to the proper polarity by the primary charging device 10, and therefore, the sensitivity deterioration due to the charging of the photosensitive drum to the opposite polarity, can be minimized.
  • the transfer roller 4 is prevented from a further contamination And, the unnecessary consumption of the toner can be avoided. As a result, the necessity for a particular mechanism for stopping the image exposure during the cleaning of the transfer roller 4, can be eliminated.
  • FIGS. 10, 11, 12 and 13 a further embodiment will be described.
  • the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 1-9 are assigned to the elements having the corresponding functions, and the detailed descriptions thereof ar omitted for simplicity.
  • the charging bias applied to the transfer roller 16 is in the form of an AC voltage V RAC biased with a DC voltage V R .
  • the AC voltage V RAC has a peak-to-peak voltage which is not less than twice the charge starting voltage.
  • the DC voltage V R is proportional to the surface potential V SURF of the photosensitive drum, as shown in FIG. 13.
  • the AC component V RAC is contained constant, and the DC voltage component is switched between V R1 for the non-image formation period and V R2 for the image formation period, so that the two stage switching is possible as in the foregoing embodiments.
  • the voltages satisfy V R1 ⁇ V R2 (the same polarity), and the application timing is as shown in FIG. 12.
  • V R1 -250 V
  • V R2 -600 V
  • V RAC 1.6 KVpp (400 Hz (sine wave))
  • V DC1 the DC component of the developing bias during the non-image-formation period
  • the potential of the photosensitive drum is 0 - -230 V during the non-image-formation period, and the development contrast is -70 V - -300 V. This is between the proper development contrast range described hereinbefore (-400 V - -30 V), and therefore, the toner is not wasted during the non-image-formation period.
  • the surface potential of photosensitive drum can be made uniform without so-called pre-exposure, since the primary charger is of a contact type using an DC biased DC voltage.
  • the developing bias voltage is in the form of a DC biased DC voltage, and the DC voltage component is actuated during the non-image formation period.
  • the possibility of the toner deposition can be further reduced.
  • a transfer roller is used, but it is not limiting. It may be in the form of a brush or contact type charger.
  • the image bearing member is in the form of a photosensitive drum in the foregoing embodiment. This is not limiting, either. It may be in the form of a belt which may or may not have a seam. When it has a seam, the synchronization between the photosensitive member rotation and the image forming operation may be established so as to form the image other than the seam.
  • FIGS. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 a further embodiment will be described.
  • the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 1-13, are assigned to the elements having the corresponding functions, and the detailed description thereof are omitted for simplicity.
  • FIG. 14 is a longitudinal sectional view of a copying apparatus according to this embodiment of the present invention.
  • a part of the light reflected from the original 15 after being emitted from the original illumination lamp 13, is incident on a reflected light sensor (density detecting means) 21.
  • the reflected light sensor 21 is electrically connected with a controller 22 of the copying apparatus including a CPU.
  • the controller 22 produces an output control signal to a high voltage generator 23 on the basis of a signal from the light sensor 21 to control the bias voltage levels to be applied to the charging roller 60, the developing device 3 and the transfer roller 4.
  • FIG. 15 shows a relationship between a reflection density (image density) of the original and an output voltage of the light sensor 21 in a solid line, and the relationship between the reflection density of the original and the surface potential of the photosensitive drum, is shown by a broken line. It will be understood that there is one-two-one relation, respectively, so that with the increase of the reflection density of the original, output voltage of the sensor decreases, and the surface potential of the photosensitive drum increases.
  • FIG. 16 shows a relationship between the output voltage of the sensor and the surface potential of the photosensitive drum, determined from the relationship shown in FIG. 15.
  • the sensor output voltage corresponds one-to-one to the potential of the photosensitive drum in a one order function. Therefore, if the sensor output voltage is known, the potential of the photosensitive drum is known. However, the image information of the reflected light incident on the sensor 21 is deviated in time from the image information of the reflected light incident on the photosensitive drum 1 through the short focus lens array 2. The reason is as follows. As shown in FIG.
  • the light incident on the photosensitive drum 1 at a time is the one reflected by a portion X of the original 15, and the light incident on the reflected light sensor 21 at the same time is the one reflected by a portion Y. Therefore, it is when the original platen glass 14 has moved through a predetermined distance that the sensor 21 detects the light reflected by the portion X.
  • the description of the original here has a uniform density. Actually, however, the original has character or photograph image or solid black image in mixture, and it is not possible to correctly catch the delicate potential of the photosensitive drum only on the output of the sensor.
  • the output of the sensor is small, and on the other hand, when the original has low image density, or large white portion, the sensor output is large. Therefore, it reflects the surface potential of the photosensitive drum, generally.
  • the charging bias applied to the charging roller 60 is in the form of an AC voltage V RAC +DC voltage Vr.
  • the developing bias applied to the developing device 3 is in the form of a DC voltage V DC +AC voltage V AC , similarly to the foregoing embodiments.
  • FIG. 17 shows the bias voltage application timing or the like as in FIGS. 3, 8 and 12.
  • the charging roller 60 supplied with a bias voltage Vr1+V AC (the same level as in the image formation period), starts to uniformly charge the surface of the photosensitive drum, and the developing bias is set to V DC1+V AC .
  • the photosensitive drum is exposed to the light reflected by the original, and therefore, the surface potential of the photosensitive drum changes with the density of the original image (broken lines in FIG. 15).
  • the output voltage of the light sensor 21 is as shown by a solid line in FIG. 16, depending on the potential of the photosensitive drum.
  • the DC component of the developing bias voltage (V DC ) is changed as shown by a chain line in FIG. 16 in accordance with the output voltage of the sensor 21.
  • the potential of the photosensitive drum represented by the output of the sensor does not exactly correspond to the surface potential of the portion of the photosensitive drum faced to the developing device (developing zone) at this time.
  • the DC component of the developing bias (V DC ) is changed to the level corresponding to the sensor output shown in FIG. 16.
  • the charging bias applied to the charging roller 60 may be made constant irrespective of the image formation, and therefore, the sequential operation control is simplified.
  • FIG. 18 is a longitudinal sectional view of a copying apparatus according to this embodiment.
  • the apparatus of this embodiment has the same structure as in the foregoing embodiments, except for the controller 25 and the high voltage generator 26, and therefore, the detailed description of the common parts are omitted for simplicity.
  • FIG. 19 shows an application timing or the like of the bias voltage applied to the charging roller 60.
  • the charging roller 60 is supplied with Vr1+V AC
  • the developing device 3 is supplied with V DC1 .
  • the developing bias V DC1 is constant, as contrasted to the foregoing embodiments.
  • the charging bias V R 1 is changed in accordance with an output of the reflected light sensor 21.
  • FIG. 20 shows a relationship between an output voltage of the sensor and the voltage V R 1.
  • the charging bias voltage V R 1, as shown in FIG. 20, is large when the sensor output voltage is large (white original), and it is small when the sensor output voltage is small (white original).
  • the charging bias voltage V R 1 is changed in accordance with an output of the light sensor 21, by which the surface potential of the photosensitive drum when it passes by the image exposure position is set to be -150 V, by proper adjustment. Therefore, if the developing bias voltage V DC is constant (-200 - -400 V), the contrast between the surface potential of the photosensitive drum and the developing bias is -50 - -250 V. Therefore, the positive or reversed fog is small even during non-image-formation period.
  • the time period during which the photosensitive drum is charged to the opposite polarity is small, and therefore, the sensitivity deterioration of the photosensitive drum can be prevented.
  • the potential of the photosensitive member during the non-image-formation is made to have a polarity the same as during the image formation by controlling the charger, so that the deterioration of the photosensitive member due to the opposite polarity can be avoided.
  • the transfer means is in the form of an electrode type contactable to the photosensitive member
  • the transfer means may be supplied with a voltage having a polarity which is the opposite to the polarity in the normal image formation. This aspect of the present invention is effective to prevent the deterioration of the photosensitive member due to such a voltage application.
  • the transfer means may be in the form of a conventional corona discharger, an elastic blade or brush to which a voltage application is possible, as well as the electrode roller described in the foregoing.
  • the photosensitive member has been in the form of an OPC photosensitive member chargeable to the negative polarity, but it may be chargeable to the positive polarity.
  • the surface of the image bearing member is controlled by an image bearing member surface control means so that the surface potential thereof has a predetermined polarity and has a predetermined level, and therefore, the sensitivity deterioration can be minimized even if a toner removing means applies a predetermined voltage to transfer means to transfer the toner from the transfer means to the image bearing member with the tendency of sensitivity deterioration of the image bearing member due to the polarity to which the image bearing member is charged.
  • the toner deposition preventing means prevents toner deposition onto the image bearing member from other than transfer means, and therefore, the image exposure is effected on the image bearing member, the toner image is not formed. Therefore, there is no need of a particular mechanism for stopping the image exposure during the cleaning operation for the transfer means. Additionally, the unnecessary wasteful consumption of the toner can be avoided.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • Electrostatic Charge, Transfer And Separation In Electrography (AREA)
  • Developing For Electrophotography (AREA)
  • Cleaning In Electrography (AREA)
  • Control Or Security For Electrophotography (AREA)
US07/949,214 1992-04-03 1992-09-23 Image forming apparatus having image transfer electrode contactable to transfer material Expired - Lifetime US5287149A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP11222192A JP3221045B2 (ja) 1992-04-03 1992-04-03 画像形成装置
JP4-112221 1992-04-03

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US (1) US5287149A (de)
EP (1) EP0563478B1 (de)
JP (1) JP3221045B2 (de)
DE (1) DE69218397T2 (de)

Cited By (22)

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US5410393A (en) * 1992-02-17 1995-04-25 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Image forming apparatus
US5420668A (en) * 1993-03-11 1995-05-30 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Image forming apparatus
US5548381A (en) * 1993-09-14 1996-08-20 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Developing apparatus forming alternating electric field between image bearing member and toner carrying member
US5587780A (en) * 1994-03-11 1996-12-24 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Image forming apparatus with different potentials in different developing zones
US5600421A (en) * 1993-09-17 1997-02-04 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Image forming apparatus
US5619308A (en) * 1992-05-19 1997-04-08 Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha Electrophotographic image forming apparatus adjusting image forming means based on surface voltage of photoconductor
US5689771A (en) * 1995-03-02 1997-11-18 Konica Corporation Color image forming apparatus having bias controller for cleaning transfer roller
US5692232A (en) * 1992-08-31 1997-11-25 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Electrophotographic apparatus that prevents toner from attaching to a contact member of a transfer device
US5758225A (en) * 1993-12-18 1998-05-26 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Method and device for supplying a variable bias voltage to a developing roller
US5768665A (en) * 1995-02-09 1998-06-16 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Image forming apparatus with bias control to prevent undesirable toner deposition
US5812904A (en) * 1995-09-19 1998-09-22 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Image forming apparatus and method for controlling charging potential differently between image forming area and non-image forming area of photosensitive drum
US5867750A (en) * 1996-06-25 1999-02-02 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Device for adjusting toner concentration of printed image in an image forming apparatus using electrophotographic developing process
US5884121A (en) * 1997-03-14 1999-03-16 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Transfer bias control method for image forming apparatus using electrophotographic process
US5899596A (en) * 1998-05-29 1999-05-04 Hewlett-Packard Company Optimization of electrophotographic edge development
US6016418A (en) * 1994-02-14 2000-01-18 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Image forming apparatus
US6029024A (en) * 1998-04-28 2000-02-22 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Device and method for controlling transfer voltage in an electrophotographic recording apparatus
US6295424B1 (en) * 2000-02-22 2001-09-25 Heidelberg Digital L.L.C. Electrostatographic image-forming apparatus and method
EP1429203A2 (de) * 2002-11-05 2004-06-16 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Bilderzeugungsgerät
US20080080885A1 (en) * 2006-10-02 2008-04-03 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Image forming apparatus
US20100329714A1 (en) * 2009-06-24 2010-12-30 Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc. Image forming apparatus
US20170097590A1 (en) * 2015-10-06 2017-04-06 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Image forming apparatus
US11644766B2 (en) * 2020-06-01 2023-05-09 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Image forming apparatus that controls voltages to reduce image fogging

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JPH07225520A (ja) * 1993-12-16 1995-08-22 Ricoh Co Ltd 画像形成装置
JP3927337B2 (ja) * 1999-06-15 2007-06-06 シャープ株式会社 画像形成装置
US7715107B2 (en) * 2006-04-25 2010-05-11 Asml Netherlands B.V. Optical element for correction of aberration, and a lithographic apparatus comprising same
JP5629724B2 (ja) * 2012-04-24 2014-11-26 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 画像形成装置
JP6127844B2 (ja) * 2013-09-05 2017-05-17 富士ゼロックス株式会社 画像形成装置
JP6274150B2 (ja) * 2015-04-27 2018-02-07 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 画像形成装置
JP6984264B2 (ja) * 2017-09-14 2021-12-17 富士フイルムビジネスイノベーション株式会社 画像形成装置
JP7346166B2 (ja) * 2019-08-29 2023-09-19 キヤノン株式会社 画像形成装置

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GB2204508A (en) * 1987-03-31 1988-11-16 Brother Ind Ltd Image recording system
US5132738A (en) * 1987-12-28 1992-07-21 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Image forming apparatus with cleaning mechanism for charging electrode
US4984026A (en) * 1988-04-25 1991-01-08 Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha Color image forming method
US5099286A (en) * 1988-04-25 1992-03-24 Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha Image forming apparatus with and method using an intermediate toner image retaining member
US4954843A (en) * 1988-05-24 1990-09-04 Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha Electrophotographic image forming apparatus
JPH0266581A (ja) * 1988-08-31 1990-03-06 Nec Home Electron Ltd 電子写真式カラー画像記録装置
US5151736A (en) * 1989-04-28 1992-09-29 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Image forming apparatus with controlled transfer voltage
US5032870A (en) * 1989-06-20 1991-07-16 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Electrophotographic apparatus
JPH03233482A (ja) * 1989-12-25 1991-10-17 Mita Ind Co Ltd 感光性トナーを用いる画像形成方法
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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5410393A (en) * 1992-02-17 1995-04-25 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Image forming apparatus
US5619308A (en) * 1992-05-19 1997-04-08 Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha Electrophotographic image forming apparatus adjusting image forming means based on surface voltage of photoconductor
US5692232A (en) * 1992-08-31 1997-11-25 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Electrophotographic apparatus that prevents toner from attaching to a contact member of a transfer device
US5420668A (en) * 1993-03-11 1995-05-30 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Image forming apparatus
US5548381A (en) * 1993-09-14 1996-08-20 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Developing apparatus forming alternating electric field between image bearing member and toner carrying member
US5600421A (en) * 1993-09-17 1997-02-04 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Image forming apparatus
US5758225A (en) * 1993-12-18 1998-05-26 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Method and device for supplying a variable bias voltage to a developing roller
US6016418A (en) * 1994-02-14 2000-01-18 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Image forming apparatus
US5587780A (en) * 1994-03-11 1996-12-24 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Image forming apparatus with different potentials in different developing zones
US5768665A (en) * 1995-02-09 1998-06-16 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Image forming apparatus with bias control to prevent undesirable toner deposition
US5689771A (en) * 1995-03-02 1997-11-18 Konica Corporation Color image forming apparatus having bias controller for cleaning transfer roller
US5812904A (en) * 1995-09-19 1998-09-22 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Image forming apparatus and method for controlling charging potential differently between image forming area and non-image forming area of photosensitive drum
US5867750A (en) * 1996-06-25 1999-02-02 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Device for adjusting toner concentration of printed image in an image forming apparatus using electrophotographic developing process
US5884121A (en) * 1997-03-14 1999-03-16 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Transfer bias control method for image forming apparatus using electrophotographic process
US6029024A (en) * 1998-04-28 2000-02-22 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Device and method for controlling transfer voltage in an electrophotographic recording apparatus
US5899596A (en) * 1998-05-29 1999-05-04 Hewlett-Packard Company Optimization of electrophotographic edge development
US6295424B1 (en) * 2000-02-22 2001-09-25 Heidelberg Digital L.L.C. Electrostatographic image-forming apparatus and method
US20040156647A1 (en) * 2002-11-05 2004-08-12 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Image forming device
EP1429203A2 (de) * 2002-11-05 2004-06-16 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Bilderzeugungsgerät
EP1429203A3 (de) * 2002-11-05 2004-08-18 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Bilderzeugungsgerät
US7020405B2 (en) 2002-11-05 2006-03-28 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Image forming device capable of interrupting application of driving signal at a drive unit
CN100368933C (zh) * 2002-11-05 2008-02-13 兄弟工业株式会社 成像设备
US20080080885A1 (en) * 2006-10-02 2008-04-03 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Image forming apparatus
US7970310B2 (en) * 2006-10-02 2011-06-28 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Image forming apparatus for supressing the effects of a band-like toner image
US20100329714A1 (en) * 2009-06-24 2010-12-30 Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc. Image forming apparatus
US20170097590A1 (en) * 2015-10-06 2017-04-06 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Image forming apparatus
US10073383B2 (en) * 2015-10-06 2018-09-11 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Image forming apparatus including cleaning operation
US10386755B2 (en) 2015-10-06 2019-08-20 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Image forming apparatus including cleaning operation
US11644766B2 (en) * 2020-06-01 2023-05-09 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Image forming apparatus that controls voltages to reduce image fogging

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP3221045B2 (ja) 2001-10-22
DE69218397T2 (de) 1997-08-07
EP0563478A2 (de) 1993-10-06
EP0563478B1 (de) 1997-03-19
DE69218397D1 (de) 1997-04-24
JPH05281862A (ja) 1993-10-29
EP0563478A3 (en) 1994-05-18

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